At what age would you get your child a cell phone?

Question

I'm old-fashioned and believe kids shouldn't get a phone until they are responsible teenagers. My stepson's mother decided to buy him a phone without talking to my husband and our son is 8. Hubby and I have discussed and decided 13 was an age we can agree on, if they are responsible that is. Of course it upsets me but there's nothing I can do about it and I'll figure he'll lose it anyway considering he loses everything lol. What do y'all think, am I being unreasonable?

Answer

My son can have a working cell phone when he can pay for it himself

Answer

I picked 13 because that's when I got mine. But in my family you got a phone when you needed one (or you could buy your own and pay for it- and when you're a kid that generally isn't something you can afford anyways). I got mine at 13 because I started taking the bus alone and I was the first one picked up and last to be dropped off. My parents wanted to be able to make sure I made it to and from school. My younger brothers got there's around the same age- though one got his at 11 because he played rugby after school and practice wasn't really a set time so my parents wanted to know when to pick him up. So I'd say it's when they need one.

Answer

16! Ha! Shows you what generation i am

Answer

TBH if the boy's mother buys him a phone it's none of your business

Answer

Probably 12, but I wouldn't fork out a lot on it. It'll be a phone just to text and call and no more. When they're older they can have a smartphone but I don't think kids getting into social media too soon is a good idea.

Answer

My boy is 6 he has a phone. Nothing fancy it's one of my husbands old phones. The only reason he has it is because he goes to his dads every other weekend and loves to be off with my dad and have sleepovers with his friends. I like to stay in touch.

Answer

My idea is buy them a cheaper phone once they hit jr high and start doing extracurriculars, that way you guys can keep in contact for being picked up, etc. if they want something nicer like an iPhone, they have to save up the money for it. Once they hit 16, give them a 6 month grace period to find a job, and have them start paying for it. I didn't get one until I could pay for it myself and I'm glad because then I didn't abuse it

Answer

We gave my stepdaughter a phone when she was 10, because she was walking to school. But took this away real quick when we realized she clearly wasn't responsible enough, I will probably wait now until she's at least 12, maybe 13.

Answer

We got my step son a simple flip phone when he was 8 so he could call us, and us call him when he is at his mom's without having to go through her. At 11 he got his first iPhone. I do fell that my own child will wait longer since he lives with us. It just worked better for our situation with my step son. Maybe look at the positive side of the situation?

Answer

When they are 13/14, my children may have a cell phone. That's just a guess though. My oldest children are 5 so that type of stuff is a long time away. I may get them one sooner. It all just depends on how responsible they are, how often they are away from me, and other things.

At what age would you get your child a cell phone?

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